More Muck & Punctures Than Paris Roubaix

 

The past week or so has been so wet that local roads are closer to what I’d expect at cyclo cross meets. Lanes carpeted in bovine and pig dung, developers have added their fair share of greasy slippery gloop, which has put the spice in slide on 4am blasts.  

These often hold thorny hedge clippings. Two pierced Ursula’s rear Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyre Vittoria Evolution Road Bike Tyre | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com), inducing a slow flat and meant I was once again, running the final two miles home. Sure, I had a spare tube and other kit but being tight on time, running seemed the best bet. Also confirmed the Shimano RX6 soles have sufficient give for running-It felt like I was tackling a moderately mucky cyclo cross course, not metalled road. 

I’ve left the Ryde Andra 40/ Shutter Precision wheel SHUTTER PRECISION SD8 HUB DYNAMO | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) with Mick Madgett for some judicious tweaking and switched to the Ryde Andra/Alfine Shimano Alfine UR700 Hub Dynamo | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) I’ve also gone for the Landcruiser Plus at the rear, standard Land Cruiser up front. Ursula was filthy. Undersides of the guards were caked with slimy stuff, ditto the chain, so since I was replacing tyres, tubes etc, I whipped the rear wheel out for a deep purge.  

Cassette and chain got similar treatment; the latter treated to some more Weldtite Ceramic WELDTITE CERAMIC LUBE | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) A quick shot of PTFE infused maintenance spray to the brake and gear cables to drive any stiction inducing moisture...Some quick tweaks to the rear pads and air to the tyres we were clean and ready once more.  

That was of course, until we succumbed to yet another, rear flat. I switched to the basic, clean Land Cruiser at the rear and ditched the wafer-thin ITS tube for one of two middle weights holidaying in Ursula’s Axiom Ocean wave City+ AXIOM OCEANWAVE CITY+ SEAT BAG | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) then ordered a stock of three, just in case.  

I’d had to consign two spares, including a Schwalbe to the bin-patched three times-a fourth would be silly. A decent tube with three patches, I will carry as an emergency spare but not my go-to.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the ITS repairable-a tiny pinprick well away from the seam.  

However, very much “a get you home” for the wedge pack, not a default. Patch quality is also pivotal to a realistic repair. Rema Tip Top are pretty much the best there are. Weldtite and Cure C Cure have also proven themselves over the years. 1800 odd miles along, Ursula’s KMC chain still has a decent amount of life left. However, I’m down to my last, so added another to stock, while I could acquire once at the right price. 

Predominantly pitch-black, sometimes misty conditions mean I’ve dug out the Sigma Sport Buster HL 2000 SIGMA SPORT BUSTER HL 2000 | cycling-not-racing (sevendaycyclist.com) and popped that atop the Kask helmet. I’ve a better sweep of the lanes and whisper it, stand a sporting chance of spotting holes and tending mechanicals. See Sense See.Sense BEAM & BEAM+ (seesense.cc) have sent me their Beam+ Front light. 1500lumens but with a downloadable app, so the light can detect and choose to intensify, or indeed, reduce output at key points.  

For example, pumping out more light when at roundabouts/entering the flow of traffic, dipping when you’re grinding along a climb.  This genuinely seems to work and moreover, reliably, bringing a big smile to my otherwise stern face. 

The app also includes ride stats, crash alerts (advising of an accident) and theft.  Otherwise, there are four modes. Three steady (High-1500 lumens, Med 450lumens, low-250) and an adaptive flash, reckoned good for 30 hours.  I’m presently running it “stock” while I develop familiarity and will explore the app, dare I say the light’s true potential in the coming weeks. Right, snow’s forecast, signalling a switch to spikes... 

 

Dark Days &Filthy Lanes

I've managed to evade anything resembling a seasonal Lurgi, despite several doing the rounds. Part of this is down to the old adage that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, only the wrong kit for those conditions. 

Full length mudguards make a considerable difference, in terms of comfort and cleanliness. Rains have shown little sign of easing, so roads and lanes resemble muddy streams and surprise, surprise, I've favoured waterproof/repellent outer layers. 

Temperatures have held at around 6/7 degrees, so jackets with a breath ability rating of 10,000 are fine, atop a winter weight base and mid-layer. I generally prefer those with a rating of 15,000, which are that bit more temperate for faster-paced general riding. 

The Funkier Aqua water repellent tights and Prendas Ciclismo Lisboa Waterproof Cap https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/prendas-ciclismo-lisboa-waterproof- have also come in to their own, in these contexts. I prefer water-repellent to completely impervious fabrics, when it comes to socks and gloves. 

Those with a TPU lining may be waterproof in the submersible sense. However, they tend to become very hot, and turn uncomfortably clammy.  I've been cruising along quite happily with these Altura Night Vision, which are waterproof, in the submersible sense. 

They are also a three-layer design. however, this consists of a polyester laminate, a windproof, breathable membrane and a thermal liner. Little surprise then that my hands have remained temperate and completely dry in these very soggy scenarios. 

Day glow yellow doesn't appeal to everyone but its useful in dull, murky conditions and the retro-reflective detailing helps keep signals acutely visible.  No danger of falling off the radar with the See Sense Icon 2, thanks in part to the clever diode pattern and poly carbonate lens. The idea is that these spread an arc and tempo of lighting that humans find difficult to tune out from. 

I am also guessing there's an element of future-proofing at hand i.e. It may also be a tempo that autonomous vehicles may register and process.  I've also found time to fit their little bar bag. 

Designed for those essentials you need ready access to, I've decided its the ideal parking spot for the K-lite twin port USB charger and whatever I fancy refuelling, during the day, when I can opt for a blinky in day-flash and the dynamo, off. 

Talking of which, I am often asked why I could possibly want to carry a compact light, with a 1300lumen headlamp. A valid point, at face value. However, even the most reliable system can develop a fault. 

Even with the K Lite Bikepacker Ultra's prodigious standlight https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/k-lite-bikepacker-ultra-dynamo-ligh, a portable (ideally helmet mounted) light comes in really handy. Something I was reminded of, last Tuesday night. 

This ETC Sirrah came to my rescue when I felt the familiar, mood torpedoing  "bob" of a rear flat, several miles from home. I was also stunned to find a large Audi slowing to a halt, the driver genuinely concerned for my welfare. 

I  confirmed all was basically OK and thanked him for stopping. Mind you, I'm a very independent (some would say proud/stubborn) soul. Someone who asks for help, only as a last resort. That goes for life generally. Arrogant? No I just feel I should be able to manage. 

Being helmet mounted meant both hands were free to whip out the rear wheel, remove the tube and check the Schwalbe Marathon Mondial's casing for sharps. I initially replaced it with a bog standard multi-buy butyl. 

Wanting to minimise the likelihood of this happening again, I subsequently exchanged that for a Kenda Thorn Resistant tube. I'd also introduced some latex sealant, so the dreaded hiss should be a moot point. 

Now, the Marathon Mondial https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-mondial-tyres are a very hardy tyre, which employ an equally robust puncture repelling system. Something embedded in the mud clearly worked its way into the casing, and grazed the thin butyl tube. 

The Sirrah full 500 made said roadside repair that bit easier but it would seem my Lezyne pump's valve plug has been claimed by the verge monster. Even if you default to the CO2 inflator, a decent pump should always be carried in reserve. Steve's been quite taken with this Zefal https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/zefal-air-profil-micro-pump . At the other extreme, and for home/workshop use, there's the Fumpa Pump https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/fumpa-pump

I've since patched the wounded butyl and returned it, along with a sibling to my Univega's Carradice Carradry https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/carradice-carradry. Another godsend, keeping everything dry and secure.  

Conditions like these are perfect for testing lubes, cleaners and similar potions. I'm, pleased to report the Juice Lubes Viking Juice is still holding out, 130 waterlogged miles in. 

No less than I'd expect. Weldtite TF2 All Weather Lubricant https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/weldtite-tf2-performance-all-weathe has returned 400 from a single helping in comparable circumstances, after all.  the SKS Bluemells mudguards have also been proving their worth. 

However, my DIY "Bodge Flap" was another casualty of the verge. Something I attribute to the chosen adhesive. I've found Gorilla glue very useful for a wealth of things. However, it cures to a relatively inflexible state, thus doesn't handle pulling/twisting forces so well. Thankfully, Richard at RAW has sent me these to test https://rawmudflap.uk/about-mudflaps/

  

Happy Christmas!